Trailwind
National monument · NE

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

National Park Service
DesignationNational monument
StateNE
Managed byNational Park Service
Best seasonJun–Sep
On the map
Map showing the location of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

About Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

In the early 1900s, paleontologists unearthed the Age of Mammals when they found full skeletons of extinct Miocene mammals in the hills of Nebraska -- species previously only known through fragments. At the same time, an age of friendship began between rancher James Cook and Chief Red Cloud of the Lakota. These two unprecedented events are preserved and protected here... at Agate Fossil Beds.

Things to do

Historic & cultural siteHikingPicnickingWildlife viewing

When to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Best Jun–SepAverage low–high: 57–83°FAverage monthly sunny share of daylight: 63%5.8 wet days / month
Weather data & source

Each figure averages the highlighted months. 2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). ERA5 via Open-Meteo AWS Open Data

Plan your visit

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is managed by National Park Service. Check current conditions, permits, and reservations before you go.

See it on Recreation.gov →